Narrative and Legendary Poems: Barclay of Ury, and Others - From Volume I., the Works of Whittier by John Greenleaf Whittier
page 35 of 103 (33%)
page 35 of 103 (33%)
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Profaning the pure name of it!
"With dry dead moss and marish weeds His fire the western herdsman feeds, And greener from the ashen plain The sweet spring grasses rise again. "Nor thunder-peal nor mighty wind Disturb the solid sky behind; And through the cloud the red bolt rends The calm, still smile of Heaven descends. "Thus through the world, like bolt and blast, And scourging fire, thy words have passed. Clouds break,--the steadfast heavens remain; Weeds burn,--the ashes feed the grain! "But whoso strives with wrong may find Its touch pollute, its darkness blind; And learn, as latent fraud is shown In others' faith, to doubt his own. "With dream and falsehood, simple trust And pious hope we tread in dust; Lost the calm faith in goodness,--lost The baptism of the Pentecost! "Alas!--the blows for error meant Too oft on truth itself are spent, As through the false and vile and base |
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